Kathy & Rick

That's a great idea, since Jimbo is a very successful insurance guy himself, in addition to knowing every nut and bolt of the early Z Cars. One piece that I found missing is the fact that the other guy's insurance company is the one which ultimately will be paying the bill for their client's negligence. So I'm finding it hard to understand why your company would keep on busting your coglioni instead of going to bat for you, against the other guy's company. I believe they call it "subrogation." All Z Best,............................Rick (and Kathy, of course)

I'm too embarrassed to tell you that I only got 13 right. So I won't. ~Rick~

We've had a trailer hitch on our '70 for nearly 40 years. We haven't used it lately, but used to pull what I suppose is a 1/2 ton capacity Sears trailer, full of pylons, timing equipment, and other autocross stuff, with no problem whatever. Consequently I believe it would also pull a small pop-out camping trailer effortlessly. But the big deal is to keep the "tongue weight" down, by playing around with where you load the heavy stuff, so that you don't depress the tail of the Z too much. Not very specific, but I hope it helps. All Z Best,...................................Kathy & Rick

If I didn't have to drive well over 1000 miles with a trailer, I'd go to that yard right now and buy the whole car. Oops, they're closed at this time anyway, and tomorrow is Saturday................. All Z Best,..................................Kathy & Rick

Right you are, Bob! You hit the nail right on the head. I was selling for Bob Sharp back at that time, and people either loved or hated the color. To the degree that those who hated it, would actually pass one by and wait for the next truck to come in, for a different "choice" of color. BTW the B-210 sedans and hatchbacks also came in a similar color, and I remember what one of my customers said: "I would NEVER buy a car in that BILIOUS yellow color!" On the other hand, a member of ZCCNE, Jeff Mader, took a Best In Show at ZCON10 with his factory- restored 1972 in #112, so you never know............. All Z Best,..........................Kathy & Rick

I was looking at this car specifically because of the low VIN number, since low VINs have been a fetish of mine since we bought our first ZCar new 40 years ago. This to the degree that I literally observe every VIN and build date I can, particularly on every Series 1 Z I see, trying the best I can to get a handle on how many of those remain and where they are located. And inversely, to estimate how many of the old ones are gone by way of wreck, rustout, or hotrodding. Strangely, Mike B and I were thinking almost exactly alike: He estimated the bids would peak at $5000; I was thinking $4000-4500, and we both figured on a reserve of $10,000. I would have been interested at that lower range, but when it ran up to $10K, it was way over my head, particularly when I would be faced with at least $1000 for transportation. But I was surprised that a $10K bid didn't make reserve. As several above have noted under the term "shenanigans," I think the guy was just "testing the waters" by setting a high reserve. That way he could see what kind of money people would be willing to spend, without having to sell the car. But if the bids ran high, he could sell the car. Thanks, Mike and Chris-- I really didn't know I owned a MULE until you clarified things! (Hmmm, a 150-HORSEpower mule?) I noticed that too, as well as quite a few other bits of misinformation. The gentleman certainly seems to be in disagreement with the factory parts and service manuals I referenced a long, long time ago which, inside thefront cover, addressed the product line for sale to the public as beginning with VIN #HLS30-00013-- which is how I knew which car to be looking for, not some test mule! All Z Best, and Happy New Year to everybody!...............Kathy & Rick

Thanks, ChrisZ, for posting that nice picture of Kathy's and my early Christmas gift to each other. Except for: the year (1969 not 1966) the color (red not silver) the engine (1600 not 2000) BTW interesting to note they had the SRL311 in 1966; my memory is heading south. I thought they started in about 1967 or 1968...... Merry Christmas to all, and All Z Best..............Kathy & Rick

I heard that there are two varieties, three-bulb and four-bulb. If that be true, I suppose that the former would apply to 1969 thru 1971, correct? Are these repros the three- or four-bulb variety? If they are the four- bulb, are the units interchangeable with the earlier units by simply ignoring the fourth bulb? Thanks for the help. All Z Best,....................Kathy & Rick

Something I was looking for but didn't notice in any of the posts: Is this radio an AM-only signal seeking (1969-1971 cars)? Or an AM-FM (1972 and following cars)? Just wondering, as I am interested, too. All Z Best,.........................kathy & Rick

FastWoman (Sarah?), I agree with Arne's sagacity re. drilling. If you ever wanted to change your mind, I promise you that you wouldn't want to braze the holes shut with the glass in place, and you wouldn't want to go through the hassle (and expense) of obtaining and installing a new gasket if you removed the glass before brazing. Neither you nor Arne would be sorry with the type of louver that goes under the rubber gasket. Our '70 has had that type forever, and we agree with the benefits which several friends have listed above. To which we would add, it makes life a lot easier on the air conditioner, due to much less cycling on and off. FWIW,................All Z Best,..................Kathy & Rick

Hi, Carl and Jimbo: Sorry we were unable to make it down again this year. We had such a great time last year, that we really wanted to come. But Kathy had another stroke about the time of the Nashville event, and is still having residuals. Maybe next year, God willing? All Z Best,.................Rick (and Kathy, of course)

Hi, Duffman, Rick here. Not trying to be argumentative, but informative: I wonder if YOUR rear glass and/or hatch might have been replaced at some point in time? The reason I say this, is that I have had a sort of sub-hobby for about 40 years, that addresses the subject. It looks like the cars with a 1969 build date had clear glass (say up to about Carl Beck's #587 car); and beginning with 1/70 build dates, in came the vertical defroster. In my records I have #965, owned by Joe and Dottie Novak, as the earliest I have seen WITH the defroster; although I seem to remember that car #725, owned by Frank Pagano, also had one. But the point is, that the transition seems to have come in at about that time frame. Interestingly enough, the rear window defroster must have always been in the plans, because even the earliest 1969 cars had a location provided in the console for where the defroster switch would eventually be located. FWIW,..............All Z Best,....................Kathy & Rick

Would you believe that even as a 40-year Z owner , I am so stuck in my old deep rut that I haven't driven any Z Car newer than a 79 ZX? FWIW,................All Z Best,...................Kathy & Rick

That 919 Sunshine Yellow is my favorite color on a 240-Z. But my vision must be failing; that looks more like 904 Kilimanjaro White to me. Tough to tell with the black interior, since both colors came with black interior. Although I would say that since the white seems to have had more blue interiors than black, that would be the more unusual combination. Nice catch though, Tiffi, sorry you beat me to it!!!!!!!!!!!!!! All Z Best,.........................Kathy & Rick BTW it would also be interesting to learn whether your car was built in 10/70 or 11/70. You can find out on the data plate on the driver side door jamb.

Man, I feel sorry for you, pardner! I would be livid if that were to happen to one of our cars. As a former Paratrooper/Ranger I would be strongly tempted to make the dude the subject of a martial arts demonstration. Unfortunate, yes, but fortunately, he didn't mash the peak of your hood. That was always a major concern in the early Z Cars, say 69-72. 73s got a little better. Are you insured with Hagerty? If so, they not only will not hassle you, they will also help you locate the appropriate replacement bumper. All Z Best,...........................Kathy & Rick

I go back over 50 years in ham radio, in which you will fre- quently hear the "Z" called "Zed>" I have heard the origin to be as follows: in two-way radio communications, the letters "C" and "Z" sounded so much alike on the unsophisticated early radio equipment that a distinction had to be made, particularly in tactical situations where com- munications errors could mean lost lives. My experience only goes back as far as such sets as the AN/PRC-6 and AN/PRC-8, 9, and 10, so I can only imagine how unintelligible voice com- munication on even earlier transceivers must have been in the days prior to WWII. Of course the phonetic alphabet also helped out a lot--Able, Baker, Charlie, Dog, Easy, Fox..............which in the 50's was revised to Alfa, Bravo, Charlie, Delta, Echo, Foxtrot........... but for the same purpose: making clear which letter of the alphabet you really meant. And equally important, for the hearer to be clear about the same. FWIW,............~Rick~

The "decal" is actually a thin "tin" or aluminum disc we had made up for multiple uses. It could be (and was) applied to various components on Bob Sharp specialty cars; it was also available for one to apply to aftermarket items such as horn buttons, gearshift knobs, alloy wheel center caps, key fobs, and whatever else the imagination could conceive. Most items such as the above when purchased from the Bob Sharp catalogue already had the disc applied. FWIW, Rick

Back in the day at Bob Sharp, I remember we would occasion-ally (but rarely) experience a perforated float. This would cause the float to sink partially or totally, rendering an inaccurate (always low, never high) reading. FWIW,..............~Rick~

Back in the day at Bob Sharp, I remember we would experience an occasional (but rare) perforated float. This would allow the float to sink partially or totally, rendering an inaccurate (always low, never high) reading. FWIW,..............~Rick~

I've heard the same thing too, Stephen, only I heard 10 years. I can't understand why that might happen. If they are being used somewhat reg- ularly, I could see where the beating they take in normal use would have its effect. But it seems like if they are inactive, especially if raised off the ground with the car on jackstands, they shouldn't take harm. If they are on a car which is inside, no water or light (UV?) contact. So, do you have any insights you could share with us? Thanks and All Z Best,..................Kathy & Rick

Hi again. Maybe I was misleading; sorry about that. Of course back in the day, when buying a new Z, you didn't have "choice of color" like you do today. The waiting lists, comprised of people who put down a deposit and got on the list, had diminished by the end of the 240Z run. But there were few ways to special order a certain color: 1) get on the list and HOPE that your choice is the color that comes in on the next truck whenever your name came up. 2) if when your name comes to the top of the list, the Z is not your choice of color, pass on it, and the next one, and the next one, till finally your color comes in. Problems: a) you could wait a LONG time till your color arrived, especially on certain colors which seemed to be produced in smaller numbers to begin with. some hardnosed dealers had a "take it or leave it" attitude whereupon you would be refunded your deposit and "kindly" bounced from the list. 3) Accept the Z that came in when your turn came up and have it spray painted your color. Problems: a) several hundred dollars additional cost. probable devaluation of the car. Footnote: there was an occasional buyer who just had to have a black 240Z, and didn't care what the cost. But black wasn't even a factory color until I think late 70s, around the time of the Black Pearl experiment. 4) Go for a used Z instead of a new one. Problems: a) people weren't turning loose of their Zs except in unusual circum- stances, so the likelihood of getting your choice of color was still little to none. if you were so lucky as to find a used Z in your color, you probably would pay a premium price for it. Eventually a mechanism called the "dealer swap" came in, but that was later, about the time of the 260, more likely the 280Z. In comes Mr. grnsky and negotiates a deal for a green Z with Rick. Rick gets on the phone with Regional or with other dealers to see who has a green Z (the Internet was in the future). Rick finds an unsold green Z, and the dealer who has it says he has a buyer for a red Z but doesn't have one in stock. I do. Deal done. Rick drives the red Z to the other dealer (some dealers had a car trailer), does the transfer paperwork, and drives the green Z back. The Z might have as much as 200 miles on it at the time of sale; but Mr grnsky isn't concerned about that, because he has his green Z and didn't have to wait 90 forevers to get it. All Z Best,.....................Rick (and Kathy, of course)

Yes sir, that is our car and has been for 34 years now! We bought her with 90-something thousand miles on her, and she has a little over 101,000 today. So we aren't exactly wearing her out! (Unless you compare that with Mark Lambert's '72, of course.) Vinny Bedini, formerly one of the car builders and mechanics on the National Champion Bob Sharp racing teams, did a refresh of all the mechanical and safety features before we dared to drive her again, since she had been stored for about 30 years. We have been blessed to share her with Z people at perhaps half a dozen shows so far, and always looking for more opportunities! Thanks once again for all your excellent contributions to Z History. All Z Best,.................................Kathy & Rick

The highest VIN I have ever seen on a 240Z is 172040, build date 7/73, owned by Dave Klein. All Z Best,..............................Kathy & Rick

Mr grnsky, that is one fine looking car. I agree that Code 113 Green Metallic with saddle interior was a very pretty combination. For some reason it never became one of the most popular. Your car brings back some sad memories, however. While I was in sales with Bob Sharp I sold one just like it to a good friend and bowling buddy, Guy McKnight. Not too long afterward Guy totaled the car, getting killed in the process. It still haunts me to this day when I think of it. ~Rick~